Working Communities Network (WCNjobs) assist people with a disability into long term jobs by promoting participation and continuous engagement, providing customised help that is focused on gaining a job. WCNjobs work with employers as well as giving specific At Work Support that strives for the best results for both employees and employers

   

 

DOWNLOAD SERVICE MODEL BROCHURE download
Are you an employer Are you an employer round arrow
Are you a jobseeker Are you a jobseeker round arrow
  • Home

    Working Communities Network (WCN) assists people with disability into long term jobs by promoting participation and continuous engagement, providing customised help that is focused on gaining a job. WCN works with employers and giving specific at work support that strives for the best results for new employees and their employer.

  • ARE YOU AN EMPLOYER

    WCN assists employers to plan for, select and support the uptake of people with disability as new employees by:

    • Supporting Employers

      WCN has offices located throughout Melbourne and Geelong, including the Mornington Peninsula. See our locations page to see our closest office to you. This means that an employer engaged with WCN always has a local representative to work with. The Employer Engagement Strategy focuses on managing relationships and generating job vacancies with small and medium-sized businesses.

      Large businesses are supported to meet diversity targets through a Key Account Strategy that identifies opportunities for affirmative action in employing people with disability. Local teams are provided with detailed information on regional labour market trends, particularly in relation to skills in demand and job trends. Support services for medium/large employers; Joint recruitment services for large projects or employers are also pursued.

    • SUITABILITY

      WCN is committed to providing the right match to your vacancy.

      With over 1500 potential job candidates engaged with us, WCN can ensure that your vacancy is broadly distributed across our locations in order to find the right candidates for your business. The process is handled with the practiced efficiency of XX years of Disability Employment Services experience across our consortium. Employers are informed of progress towards filling vacancies with prompt and professional communication.

      WCN will work with you to find what works best to select a good candidate. These activities may include:

      • Shortlisting candidates based upon their skillset, potential and employment goals
      • Checking qualifications and references, (or alternatively assisting with the provision of training and obtaining appropriate licenses; including assistance such as Police Checks, Working with Children Checks, Responsible Service of Alcohol certificates etc.
      • Coordinate job interviews and /or
      • Organise work trials
    • TAILORED ARRANGEMENTS

      WCN has many years of experience in effectively negotiating and managing tailored arrangements to support the commencement of a candidate into work and further supports to remain in work.

      All our candidates are eligible for Wage Subsidies. These range in value from $1500 to $10,000. Wage Subsidies are linked to on-the- job and skills training to support employers in the uptake of new employees with disability.

      If desired, disability awareness training can be provided to staff to help the development of a workplace diversity culture. In particular Mental Health Awareness training and Auslan (Australian Sign Language) training can be provided at no cost to the employer. This is funded through the Australian Government’s Employee Assistance Fund.

      WCN collaborates to support the uptake of apprentices and trainees. Some candidates will be supported with the use of the Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS). For an eligible apprentice this provides financial support to the employer and funds to pay for the additional tutorial support for the TAFE or Registered Training Organisation that the apprentice attends for their training. WCN will also work with RTOs to enable employers to access job-related skills training and tickets such as Responsible Service of Alcohol; Working with Children’s check or police check.

      Where relocation is necessary for the uptake of employment WCN will, if needed, collaborate with a local Disability Employment Service Provider to facilitate all necessary supports.

    • AT WORK SUPPORT

      SUPPORT PLANS

      Once a job is gained WCN continues to help both the employer and new employee to ensure that the job match continues to work for both parties.

      A customised At Work Support Plan is created. This plan contains details on continuous actions and accountabilities from both WCN, the employee and the employer, including the schedule and frequency of contact to occur. These actions are written down and monitored. All such planning is directly targeted toward the smooth maintenance of the working arrangement for all involved.

      At Work Support is undertaken for as long as it is needed. For most people a plan is made for an optimum time frame of 52 weeks in a job. As all aspects of our service delivery, this is readily customisable to be shorter or longer, and in some cases, the support continues indefinitely provided an independent assessment indicates that the need for support remains. This support includes what is technically known as Flexible Ongoing Support, Moderate Ongoing Support or High Ongoing Support. The level of support will be adjusted when and if required. WCN meets job seekers and employers at the workplace as often as required and finds personnel who are best suited to deliver At Work Support for each new employee and/or the employer.

      SPECIFIC SKILLS

      WCN focuses primarily upon ensuring a new employee can adequately fulfill a role, however if necessary, WCN will source and engage relevant skills training to improve an employee’s skills in relation to their position. For example, this can include assisting a new employee to obtain a forklift license if their position is a warehousing type of job.

      WCN also provides on-the- job coaching where necessary. This occurs in consultation with the new employee and their employer. The employer must approve a WCN representative’s presence in theworkplace for this to occur.

      As some new employees will continue to have support needs outside of work, WCN engages any relevant services, or WCN will be assist the employee to maintain their connections to support services; including attending counselling to address personal issues and/or other barriers.

      WCN’s At Work Support increases in intensity at commonly-identified peak attrition times and when indicators of risk are identified for either the new employee or employer.

      PRACTICAL SUPPORT

      For many people with disability who commence employment after some time out of work the challenge of starting work includes stretching the finances to ensure that they are presentable and able to get to work on time. WCN will often provide:

      • Work clothing and personal work equipment if necessary.
      • Travel assistance as appropriate. This may be support to pay for a MYKI top up; fuel assistance or travel training..
      • Workplace modifications for employees with disability.

      A workplace modification is equipment that a person with disability will use to help them to perform their job.

      This may be software to increase the size of the font for someone who struggles to read a computer screen as they are visually impaired; it may be alarms which vibrate for those who are deaf or hearing impaired; or it may be a lifting device for someone with a physical condition. These are often government funded using the Employee Assistance Fund (jobaccess.gov.au).

  • Are you a Job seeker

    WCN provides practical and tailored assistance to ready job seekers for employment and help in finding a job. Our help will differ for each person depending on individual needs. This help is documented in a Job Plan.

    • GUARANTEED SERVICE

      Everyone who is connected to our service will be briefed on our service guarantee. We are certified and monitored as a quality-assured organisation and have met the National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS). The NSDS outlines job seeker’s rights and responsibilities and our responsibilities as a service provider. For more information on these standards click on the link below.

      www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/01_2015/nsds_poster_7_combined_6_standards_poster_printable.pdf

    • ENGAGEMENT

      When a job seeker first meets with WCN we explain our processes and discuss these with you. If you are on a payment from the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) we will explain what you must do to meet your payment requirements. We will also explain what your expectations of us may be and what your rights and responsibilities are while you are engaged with our service. For example, everyone who is looking for a job is expected to attend fortnightly appointments.

      We also do an initial assessment to determine your level of work-readiness,, what education or training that you might benefit from and identify any personal support needs. If you need help in non-work related areas we will suggest and/or link you with other appropriate agencies who can provide you with the appropriate help.

      A key document that we work from is a highly individualised Job Plan. This includes a how often WCN will meet with you, what your obligations are, and will document what help WCN has agreed to provide to you.

    • JOB SEARCH

      Looking for a job is a collaborative activity.

      You will be helped to sign up to relevant job search websites identifying the right jobs for you.

      We will also search for job opportunities by targeting our marketing of your skills toward potential employers.

      If looking for work you might be expected to join a “Job Club” or specific training which will help you to refine your job search skills.

    • READINESS

      WCN has created tailored job seeker programs. These include Activate Intensive Motivation and Job Search Training. These support the development of employability skills, provide life skills training and motivate people looking for work to successfully move into and keep a job.

      WCN may use work experience and/or work trials to focus on developing skills required for jobs that are available, or for those which have lots of vacancies so that both the person looking for work and the employer can see whether that work area suits.

      WCN may connect some job seekers with someone who can mentor and provide guidance. This is more common with Indigenous Australians and young people who are struggling with daily living.

      WCN’s services may also, if needed, include connecting a person who is looking for work to health practitioners including mental health services and alcohol and drug services, accommodation (crisis and transitional), legal, financial and disclosure counselling.

    • SKILL DEVELOPMENT

      WCN has committed to a budget for investment in job seeker skills.

      WCN may target improving skills for people so that the person is more ready for jobs/industries that generally have more consistent demand for staff e.g. Aged Care when there are a high number of nursing homes or Security work if there are a high number of nightspots/shopping centres.

      WCN is also able to link job seekers with low English skills with many tools, qualifications and other education programs. These include the ACER foundation Skills Assessment Tool, SEE (Skills for Education and Employment), Language Other Than English Service (LOTE) information, Learn Local EAL and Foundation Skills and the Vocational and Peer Support for Carers of People with Mental Illness program.

      These can all help provide opportunities to address Language and Literacy and English as an Additional Language needs, depending upon the individual

    • AT WORK SUPPORT

      SUPPORT PLANS

      Once a job is secured, WCN continues to help both the employer and new employee to ensure that the job match continues to work for both parties.

      A customised At Work Support Plan is created. This plan contains details on continuous actions and
      accountabilities from both WCN, the employee and the employer, including the schedule and frequency of contact to occur. These actions are written down and monitored. All such planning is directly targeted toward the smooth maintenance of the working arrangement for all involved.

      At Work Support is undertaken for as long as it is needed. For most people a plan is made for an optimum
      time frame of 52 weeks in a job. As all aspects of our service delivery, this is readily customisable to be shorter or longer, and in some cases, the support continues indefinitely provided an independent assessment indicates that the need for support remains. This support includes what is technically known as Flexible Ongoing Support, Moderate Ongoing Support or High Ongoing Support. The level of support will be
      adjusted when and if required.

      SPECIFIC SKILLS

      WCN focuses primarily upon ensuring a new employee can adequately fulfill a role, however if necessary, WCN will source and engage relevant skills training to improve an employee’s skills in relation to their position. For example, this can include assisting a new employee to obtain a forklift license if their position is a warehousing type of job.

      WCN also provides on-the- job coaching where necessary. This occurs in consultation with the new employee and their employer. The employer must approve a WCN epresentative’s presence in the workplace for this to occur.

      As some new employees will continue to have support needs outside of work, WCN engages any relevant services, or WCN will be assist the employee to maintain their connections to support services; including attending counselling to address personal issues and/or other barriers. WCN’s At Work Support increases in intensity at commonly-identified peak attrition times and when indicators of risk are identified for either the new employee or employer.

      PRACTICAL SUPPORT

      For many people with disability who commence employment after some time out of work, the challenge of
      starting work includes stretching the finances to ensure they are presentable and able to get to work on time.

      WCN will often provide:

      Work clothing and personal work equipment if necessary

      Travel to work assistance as appropriate. This may be support to pay for a MYKI top up; fuel assistance or actual travel training to help someone to learn how to get to and from work

      Workplace modifications for employees with disability

      A workplace modification is equipment that a person with disability will use to help them to perform their job.

      This may be software to increase the size of the font for someone who struggles to read a computer screen as they are visually impaired; it may be alarms which vibrate for those who are deaf or hearing impaired; or it may be a lifting device for someone with a physical condition. These are often government funded using the Employee Assistance Fund (jobaccess.gov.au).

  • About

    WCN provides a structured framework of engagement and activation options, customisedin intensity according to the needs of individual job seekers and focused on compliance obligations being met at all times.

    • ABOUT WCN

      WCN’s guarantee of service to people looking for work and employers is underpinned by innovative structures, systems, skills and resources integrated into an effective Service Delivery Model.

      Gaining jobs for job seekers with disability is central to the success of the WCN model. Employers are engaged through a highly responsive customer service relationship aimed at identifying and meeting the skills and labour needs of their workforce. WCN operates throughout Melbourne and Geelong and has a great understanding of the labour markets, industries, workplaces and job roles available. This enables WCN to identify the right vacancy and provide the right match for people with disability. Tailored arrangements are negotiated and managed to support the uptake of job seekers including appropriate wage subsidies, workplace modifications and on site workforce diversity education.

      A job seeker registered with WCN’s Disability Employment Services will typically undertake an agreed schedule of meetings and activities (job search, work readiness, motivational training, vocational training and work placement) with the aim of moving into paid employment as soon as is practical. .

      WCN will ensure that everyone understands their expectations including for those on government benefits what they are expected to complete to continue on benefits.. We monitor and support the job seeker to meet their expectations whilst working to individualise their support to meet their needs.

      Job seekers on a Disability Support Pension who identify work as a priority objective are encouraged to volunteer into DES where WCN ensures that service provision is focused on moving them into
      sustainable employment.

      Once placed into employment the job seeker will, through WCN’s customised At Work Support, develop the skills, attributes and attitude necessary to successfully get and keep a job. We aim for long term jobs. If specific skills are needed to do a job, WCN will help find the right training provider to give the person the skills needed to do a specific job role. We will also support the employer and workplace to resolve any issues that may arise.

      A documented At Work Support Plan (included in the Job Plan) is customised to the needs of both job seeker and employer and includes the agreed level of help to be provided by WCN. Job Seekers may have varying levels of continuing support in the job formally called: Flexible Ongoing Support, Moderate Ongoing Support or High Ongoing Support. This level of support will vary with the need of the person and their employer. The aim will always be to keep a person in work.

    • OUR PARTNERS

      The Working Communities Network (WCN) consortium was formed in 2013 by three leading Employment Services providers in Victoria; WCIG, JobCo And E-Focus. The consortium’s partnership has resulted in a consolidated service offering thousands of job seekers with disability, the ability to participate in innovative training solutions and a dynamic approach to formulating and delivering many other community-based initiatives for disadvantaged members of local communities.

      WCN’s internal partnerships are centred upon common goals. This has meant that the leadership of the consortium can consolidate many decades of experience and a wealth of community and service linkages in delivering employment-focused solutions to many more people across Victoria.

    • WCIG

      Established in 1986, Westgate Community Initiatives Group Inc. has a long and proud history in the delivery of innovative and high quality employment services for those in our community who experience the greatest levels of disadvantage. WCIG is a not for profit employment services provider committed to affirming the right of every individual to a meaningful role in society.

      At WCIG our mission is to create partnerships for employment and we achieve this through the provision of services and programs including training at WCIG‘s Registered Training Organisation and via the delivery of Disability Employment Services, Springboard (Youth) and our Social Enterprise Group.

      Based in Melbourne’s western regions and Geelong, WCIG has offices in Footscray, Melton, Sunshine, St. Albans and Werribee. As part of the 2013 move to leading the Working Communities Network consortium, WCIG expanded its operations with the opening of offices in Geelong, Corio and Whittington.

      WCIG’s success is testament to the effective and proactive way in which we create partnerships for employment. We work closely with job-seekers, employers and industry to cultivate sustainable employment outcomes and innovate new ways to enhance employment opportunities.

      At the very core of our business is our commitment to respond to the needs of disadvantaged job-seekers by:

      • Providing relevant training with a focus on industries in which a skills shortage exists, therefore maximising employment prospects. Our training provides job-seekers with skills for employment, personal development and is available with Government Funding at little or no cost to participants.

      • Fostering employment opportunities for the disadvantaged and unemployed through unique and highly effective job creation projects.

      • Encouraging more inclusive and creative attitudes and models for work and employment of people who are disadvantaged through our advocacy efforts and social enterprises.

      http://www.wcig.org.au/

    • JOBCO. JOBCO.

      JobCo Employment Services Inc. is a community based not-for- profit employment service provider which has been delivering a comprehensive range of employment solutions to employers and jobseekers in the Melbourne and metropolitan region since 1994.

      JobCo's mission is to ensure that any person seeking employment services, training, counselling or support is assisted. For all clients we will provide a unique and individual experience of service where people feel listened to and supported in overcoming barriers, achieving equality and meaningful inclusion into their local community.

      Our values are reflected both in the services we provide and in the investment of staff from a broad range of disciplines and cultural backgrounds.

      JobCo's services include:

      • Disability Employment Services (DES)
      • Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaMS)
      • Training and Traineeships
      • Apprenticeships Melbourne (AAC)
      • National Panel of Assessors (NPA)
      • Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
      • Indigenous Youth Careers Pathways (IYCP)

      As a prerequisite to employment, JobCo staff must have strong personal ethics and morals, and high level

      interpersonal skills. We expect our staff to achieve their KPIs to ensure that high numbers of people gain jobs. JobCo has qualified psychologists and other allied health professionals employed, as well as staff with extensive experience in both employment and the behavioural sciences.

      To ensure high standards JobCo conforms to all legislative requirements set out in the Privacy Act 1988, the National Privacy Principles Code and the National Standards for Disability Services.

      JobCo also adheres to rigorous internal codes of conduct identified in individual program policies, ensuring that all clients of JobCo are treated with dignity and respect.

      Westgate Community Initiatives Group Inc. is a not for profit employment services provider committed to affirming the right of every individual to a meaningful role in society.

      http://www.jobco.com.au/en/

  • Contact

    OFFICE LOCATIONS

    For further information, contact the Team Leader at the office most convenient to you.

  • request a call back








      *Required Fields

    © Copyright WCN 2020
    © Copyright WCN 2020